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Soft Spot/Craniotomy Swollen

funmadjoker
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I had a brain tumour removed in 2002 but they never covered up the area where they removed the tumour so have a soft spot. I find at times of having a headache the soft spot area swells up slightly. I have noticed lately that the area is very tender when lying on it and also getting a fair few headaches especially when bending over or changing head positions. Does anyone else get this or recommend anything. I did have a scan late last year and have a few tumours and I'm taking pain killers but they don't seem to be helping much lately.

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Surgery Pain Ibuprofen

6 replies

karenga01

I get this all the time. I had my first craniotomy in 1993.I have since had three others in the same area. When I first notice the swelling I think about it constantly. When I tell my doctors they say that it is normal. I just notice it more since I don't have a bone covering the opening. Fluid is always moving around. Different times of the day, different positions all change where it settles. If you are concered please call your doctor.

funmadjoker

Do you ever get pains when you change positions like sitting, standing or bending. I get like a sharp sudden pain but then goes after a few seconds when I keep still again.

funmadjoker

Well the pains took a turn for the worse in March so they sent me for a scan, turned out a tumour was causing my brain to swell so had an operation to remove my 2nd brain tumour. All went ok but they've made the hole bigger without covering it and its started to get twinges. I'm guessing this is part of the healing process. Does anyone else experience this?

Rick

I'm guessing by now your twinges have subsided as they are a normal part of healing. My first craniotomy was in 1980. I have had 5 more since then, all in the same area. I have no bone in a large area of the back of my head. I used to think about it often but now not so much.
For a long time I felt some pressure (not pain) when I was laying down on my back. I don't recall when that subsided but I have no problems with that now. After awhile, you will get used to it and not even give it two thoughts.
Rick

MELANIE_PUDWILL

I have had two brain surgeries. My surgeon puts a plate in so that I have no soft spots. I'm not sure why that was not done for you? I also wanted to let you all know that I also had spinal fluid after my 2nd surgery. My doctor even stuck a needle in and drained it one time but it came back within hours. I was on Ibuprofen (sp ?) at the time because of my headaches. My sister told me I needed to get off of it so I wouldn't damage my kidneys. Once I got off of the ibuprofen the fluid left. Once the fluid was gone my headaches and migraines got better. If you are taking any pain meds it could be keeping your body from absorbing the fluid. It just something to keep in mind.

funmadjoker

I have asked about whether they'd cover up these soft spots but apparently they don't consider it to be a dangerous place of my head. But I disagree because is agony if you ever get it there

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